Please note that the Japanese names in these posts are written in Japanese order, i.e. Family Name followed by Given Name

Sunday, 15 November 2009

Nadeshiko League Division 2 2009

Nadeshiko League Division 2 saw two changes from 2008, reverting back to its situation in 2007. The teams would again play each other thrice, and due to TASAKI Perule's withdrawal, both divisions would again have just eight teams. The league ran from April 11th until November 1st.

The league was a straightforward round robin tournament, again using the system of three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. The teams would play each other thrice.

From 2010 the league would be reorgansied. Nadeshiko League Division 1 would be simply called the Nadeshiko League, and Division 2 would become the Challenge League.

The Nadeshiko League would be made up of ten teams, so the top two teams in Division 2 would automatically be promoted. The third-placed team would play-off against the team finishing bottom in Division 1. The Challenge League would be made up of twelve teams, divided into geographical divisions, East and West, with six teams in each. Each division would be run separately, with no inter-divisional games to be played. It was therefore necessary to introduce six non-league sides into the Challenge League through a series of play-offs.

AS Elfen Sayama FC won the division and were automatically promoted along with Iga FC Kunoichi.

Fukuoka J. Anclas, who finished third in Division 2, proceeded to play for the right to play in the Nadeshiko League in 2010 against Speranza FC Takatsuki who finished bottom in Division 1. They won on aggregate over two legs and were promoted.

Kagoshima Kamoike FC Asahina became a full member of the league and were renamed Je Vrille Kagoshima.
Bunnys Kyoto Soccer Club shortened their name to Bunnys Kyoto SC.